About Ben Sin
Hello, I'm a senior editor at XDA, covering mostly mobile hardware. I've been covering the mobile scene for eight years, during which I've done everything from attend Apple launch events in Cupertino, cover Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, to visiting smartphone manufacturing lines in Shenzhen and Seoul.
Before covering tech, I was a "traditional" journalist, writing features in print newspapers — remember those? — and magazines for outlets such as the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, South China Morning Post, among others.
On the side, I also run a tech review YouTube channel, Youtube.com/bensgadgetreviews
Jabra's excellent workout earbuds are 40% off this Prime Day
Jabra's excellent and practical wireless earbuds are on major discount this Prime Day.
Danish audio equipment maker Jabra has been making some of the most functional and practical earbuds that are great for working out, and now two of its most popular models, the Jabra Elite 4 Active and Elite 5, are getting major discounts this Amazon Prime Day at over 40% off. These earbuds are in our list of best wireless earbuds, and now they bring great value on top of good performance. They're some of the best wireless earbuds deals you'll find this week and for good reason.
Get the sleekest Android smartwatch for $100 off this Prime Day
The Google Pixel Watch is Android's answer to the Apple Watch, which means it's premium and pricey — until this Prime Day discount, that is.
The Google Pixel Watch is one of the best Android smartwatches thanks to its sleek premium design and tight integration with Android, and for this year's Amazon Prime Day, it's getting $100 shaved off its retail price down to $250. When we reviewed the Pixel Watch, we called it "an overpriced beauty," well, with this deal, it is no longer overpriced — just a beauty.
Casetify Pixel Fold case review: Adding some much needed fun to the foldable case scene
If you want to slap a case on the Google Pixel Fold while adding a dose of personality, Casetify has plenty of options.
Google's long-awaited foldable, the Pixel Fold, is now on sale. While the phone's stainless steel construction gives it a premium and sturdy in-hand feel, most consumers will likely want to protect their $1,800 investment by going with a case. Last month we compiled a list of best cases for Pixel Fold, including usual players like Spigen and DBrand. All of those cases offer great protection, but almost all are solid colored, and many have a masculine, rugged armor look. In fact, this seems to be the trend for foldable phone cases. A look at our best cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 also shows mostly black Kevlar cases that look like they were made for Bruce Wayne.
Best phones in 2023
Want a new smartphone and are overwhelmed with options? Here's our expert guide on the best smartphone for you.
We're halfway through 2023 and have already seen some great smartphones from the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, and Google this year. There are still plenty of phones to look forward to this year, but it's time to reflect and turn the spotlight on some of the best phones available so far in 2023. In addition to flagships like the iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra to affordable flagships and best value picks like the OnePlus 11 and the "almost flagship" Pixel 7a, I am also adding budget picks and some other categories to offer a good mix of options. We here at XDA test almost every smartphone that's released to the public, so you can count on this roundup to find the right phone that suits your budget and needs. Let's dive in!
Best Android phones in 2023
Need a new phone? Look no further than this selection of best Android phones you should buy, including the best from Google, Samsung and more!
The Android flagship space has already seen some good smartphones in 2023 so far. Samsung and OnePlus kicked things off with their respective flagships, and we've also received some solid mid-rangers in the form of Galaxy A54 5G and Pixel 7a. Samsung's foldable phones also continue to dominate the market, so there's no shortage of reliable Android phones in 2023. So if you are in the market to buy a new Android flagship and can't figure out which one's better, then you've landed on the right page. I have highlighted some of the best phones in each category in the roundup below, so check out the listings to find the one that suits your needs and budget.
Best AT&T phones in 2023
Looking into getting a new phone on AT&T? We have you covered. This is our list of the best AT&T phones currently available.
AT&T has superb nationwide network coverage, so it's naturally one of the most popular carriers. That's good news for those of you who are itching to upgrade phones because AT&T has a large selection of devices with plenty of deals also on offer. Whether you're looking for the latest bleeding-edge flagship, a good value mid-tier device, or a budget phone, AT&T has something for you. To ensure carrier compatibility, every phone listed here is directly available through AT&T. If you're not necessarily tied to the carrier, you can check out our selection of the best phones of 2023 for devices that aren't available on AT&T.
Best smartphone cameras in 2023
Looking for the phone with the best camera? We have tested all the latest phones and here's an in-depth guide on the best smartphone cameras!
Picking the phone with the best camera used to be an easy exercise. In the early days of the smartphone, the iPhone's camera was leaps and bounds better than Android's offerings. Then big-name Android brands caught up, and for a couple of years in the mid-2010s, Samsung held the crown. Towards the latter part of the decade, I'd argue Google and Huawei each respectively dominated the software and hardware part of mobile photography. But starting around 2020 or so, other brands stepped up their digital imaging game by investing more resources; Apple paid more attention to computational photography, and Samsung took a page or two out of Huawei's book in terms of camera hardware.
Best Samsung Galaxy phones in 2023
Samsung makes some of the finest phones on the market, but with so many devices to choose from, which are the best Samsung Galaxy Phones?
Although Samsung built its reputation off its flagship phones, like the latest S23 Ultra, it has slowly moved its attention to budget and mid-tier smartphones as well. When it comes to handsets, Samsung definitely has a finger on the pulse of what Android users want; the South Korean electronics giant has been launching one banger after the other in recent times.
Sony WH-1000XM5 review: Great looks and sound, but too bulky
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a new design that looks more premium than its predecessor, but it's significantly bulkier
The title for best wireless headphones has mostly been fought between Sony and Bose in recent years, with Bose's QuietComfort series holding the crown in the late 2010s, then Sony snatching it with the universally acclaimed WH-1000XM4 in 2020. Sony did not sit idly by for its follow-up, the WH-1000XM5, which got a complete redesign that gives the headphones more of a premium, Apple-like aesthetic. However, the design compromises on practicality, and there was even a controversial decision to tone down bass output.
Best foldable phones in 2023
Looking for a new foldable phone? We have tested all of them and here's our guide on which foldable to get in 2023!
Foldable phones are becoming more prevalent as a serious consideration for the average consumer in 2023, but up until now, it has been mostly Samsung leading the charge. There have been a ton of different foldables debuting in Asian and European markets, but the level of competing in the North American market hasn't been up to par. That is, until now. After a slew of early summer releases, Samsung now has serious threats to its big and small foldables coming from Google and Motorola, respectively. The question is, are those challenges enough to dethrone Samsung as the leader in foldable smartphones in North America?
Huawei Mate X3 review: Impeccable hardware for enthusiasts only
The Huawei Mate X3 is a showcase of cutting-edge hardware craftsmanship in the foldable space. But several factors make it a tough sell for many.
The Huawei Mate X3 is a hard phone to review. On one hand, it has the most impressive foldable hardware I've ever seen— and I've tested every single foldable phone ever commercially released. Speaking purely of hardware, it makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 look a generation behind. But the Mate X3 is also missing easy access to services used by billions of people on Earth, and it's priced on the highest end of the mobile phone spectrum. Due to the latter two factors, the Mate X3 has no chance of being anything other than a niche enthusiast phone in regions outside its native China.
Motorola Razr+ (2023) review: The best clamshell foldable right now
Samsung, take note. The Razr+ is a major improvement for clamshell foldables simply by using a larger outside screen.
After inexplicably making last year's Razr a China-exclusive device, Motorola is bringing the Razr line back to the U.S. and other international markets. And there's good news: The Razr+ (2023) is a polished and eye-catching clamshell foldable that makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 look outdated. Of course, the Flip 4 is almost a year old, so it's not the most direct comparison, but the Razr+ is the biggest challenge yet to Samsung's dominant grip on the foldable market in the U.S., all thanks to its much larger cover screen. If you've ever been unsure about this kind of phone, the Razr+ is a great place to start.
Google Pixel Tablet review: The best Android tablet experience ever
Google finally optimized Android for widescreen devices, which is great for the future of Android tablets.
Apple products are quite successful in all their respective product categories, but the most dominant Apple product is probably the iPad. Ever since its introduction in 2010, the iPad has led the global tablet market share, sometimes accounting for half of all tablets sold worldwide. Android tablets never could catch up in sales or mainstream recognition despite attempts by just about every major Android phone manufacturer. Google too tried its hand at the tablet very early in the game with a series of Nexus tablets, but they were budget offerings that lacked polish.
Mac Studio with M2 Ultra review: For creative professionals only
Apple's Mac Studio with M2 Ultra is one of the most powerful and efficient computers on the market. But do you need this much power?
There's been some snark in the tech community lately about Apple products using the "Pro" naming convention a little too liberally. For example, the differences between the MacBook Air and Pro mostly come down to a fan that rarely gets used. That's why it's ironic that out of all the Apple products, the Mac Studio is the one that does not get the Pro branding. This machine, particularly the M2 Ultra version I'm testing, is for real creative pros, like producers at NBC who have been using a 2022 Mac Studio to create Saturday Night Live intros every week for the past year, or Los Angeles-based Air Studio, which uses the same computer to mix Hollywood movie soundtracks.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Leaks, rumors, and what we want to see
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a highly polished foldable, but there's always room for improvement.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 is currently one of the best and most refined foldable phones you can buy in the U.S. But what if I told you Samsung doesn't actually make the most cutting-edge foldable hardware? The Z Fold 4's spot at the top has more to do with software polish and rivals' lack of market availability than the actual folding mechanism. Xiaomi's Mix Fold 2, for example, is significantly thinner; Vivo's X Fold and Huawei's Mate X2 have more advanced camera systems, and the Oppo Find N2 has a screen that is virtually crease-free. All of these phones can fold completely flat, while the Z Fold 4 still cannot. The newly launched Google Pixel Fold seems to be having some issues folding completely flat too, but I'll reserve my judgments on that for later.
OnePlus Nord N30 Review: A decent but unremarkable entry-level phone
The Nord N30 could be had for as low as $269. I suppose I can't nitpick at this price, but OnePlus can and should've done better.
OnePlus' new entry-level phone, the Nord N30, brings mostly the same experience as last year's Nord N20, which we thought was a good-looking, serviceable phone with some odd choices. This is all true with this year's device. The phone looks great (unfortunately, it looks better than it feels), and there's not much to complain about with display, processor, and general UI performance at this price point. But the cameras are seriously underwhelming.
Amazon Fire Max 11 review: I miss Google apps
Amazon's new tablet has some good hardware, but Fire OS is going to frustrate those who like using Google Mobile Services.
It's been a great couple of months for the tablet, between Apple bringing Final Cut Pro to the iPad, OnePlus' surprisingly polished tablet, Lenovo's super-sized work machine with the best keyboard case around, and the imminent launch of the Pixel Tablet. Now Amazon is jumping into the fray with its most ambitious tablet yet.
Best Motorola phones in 2023
Looking for an alternative to avoid the Apple/Samsung duopoly? Motorola has a solid list of phones in the U.S. now.
Motorola has evolved a lot as a brand, and it's had quite the journey over the years to find a comfortable spot in the market. It continues to have a special place in the heart of consumers for churning out a variety of phones. Motorola also has a strong footing in the United States with a diverse portfolio that includes both flagship and budget options. Plenty of Motorola phones have already made it to our collection of the best cheap phones and the best Android phones overall, but I wanted to highlight all the best Motorola phones separately to give you a better idea of what to expect from the brand's diverse portfolio in the U.S. Let's dive in!
Hands-on: The Apple Vision Pro is best AR and VR experience I've ever tried (and I've tried many)
I tried Apple's $3,500 mixed reality headset, and it left me in awe. Now, is it worth the price? Only you can make that call.
Apple's long-rumored mixed reality (MR) headset, the Vision Pro, is here. Well, sort of. It was announced yesterday at WWDC, and I got to wear the headset for about 25 minutes today, but it isn't going on sale until "early next year," and its $3,499 retail price is going to be the point of much contentious debate.
Best smart glasses in 2023
Looking to jump on the smart glasses train? The market is still nascent, but growing fast, with some strong contenders. Here's our guide.
Though most forms of technology advances quickly, the same can't be said about augmented and virtual reality headsets and glasses. Since the Google Glass concept was first unveiled in 2013, the smart glasses space hasn't taken off like you might have expected in the last decade. The best versions of the concept are full-fledged headsets that aren't feasible for daily use, and true smart glasses are quite limited.